Lifting device



Jan. 21, 1941. J. J. MIZER 2,229,113

LIFTING DEVICE Filed Feb. 9, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I INVENTR I E 7. MaiZ62:

BY W2 9 M49, A TTORNEYS.

'Jan. 21, 1941. J. J. MlZER 2,229,113

LIFTING DEVICE Filed Feb. 9, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 2 4 F F4 S w |l+ L VINVENTOR Patented Jan. 21, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIQE LIFTIN GDEVICE poration of Wisconsin Application February 9,

10 Claims.

The present invention relates to lifting devices, and, in the specificembodiments herein disclosed, provides improved vehicle lifting jacksparticularly adapted for use in lubricating stations for relaxingsprings, locating squeaks, raising the body of the car from the chassis,and other general purposes.

Principal objects of the present invention are to provide a liftingdevice of the above indicated type, which is extremely efficient inoperation; and which may be economically manufactured and installed, toprovide such a device including a base structure adjustably supported onthe wheel runway of a pit or lift, and including a jack which is freelyadjustable upon the base structure; to provide such a structure whereinthe jack is adjustable between a lifting position and a retractedposition; to provide such a structure including a jack having a liftingcolumn, a supporting structure therefor, and means associated with thecolumn and the supporting structure for holding the column in either avertical lifting position or a substantially horizontal retractedposition; to provide such a structure arranged to provide for a quickinitial adjustment of the height of the lifting column; and to generallyprovide improved lifting devices of the above generally indicatedcharacter.

With the above as well as other objects in view,

30 which appear in the following description and in the appended claims,preferred but illustrative embodiments of the invention are shown in theaccompanying drawings, throughout the several views of whichcorresponding reference characters 35 are used to designatecorresponding parts and,

in which:

Figure 1 is a view in elevation, showing the general arrangement of theinvention;

Fig. 2 is a detailed view, partly in section, of

40 the improved lifting device;

Fig. 3 is a view in elevation of the improved lifting device;

Fig. 4 is a view in top plan of the device shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view in top plan, but showing the lifting devicein its retracted position;

Fig. 6 is a view in elevation, of a modified em' bodiment of theinvention;

Fig. '7 is a view in vertical section, taken along 50 the line 'I'I ofFig. 6; and

Fig. 8 is a view in top plan of the structure shown in Figs. 6 and 7.

It will be appreciated that at the present time vehicle lubricatingstations, in general, utilize equipment of either the so-called pit typeor the 1939, Serial No. 255,449

so-called lift type. Both classes of equipment conventionally comprise apair of laterally spaced runways, upon which the vehicle may be driven.In the pittype, these runways are positioned at respectively oppositesides of the pit and in the lift type, these runways are carried by thehoisting mechanism so that the vehicle may be elevated above the ground.In using either class of equipment, it is desirable to providesupplemental lifting means, by which, for example, the sprung 10 partsof the vehicle may be elevated relative to the unsprung parts thereof,so as to locate and facilitate the elimination of rattles, and so as torelax the springs and facilitate proper lubrication thereof, and thelike. The present invention provides extremely simple and effectivelifting devices for the just mentioned purposes, which are freelyslidable along the runways so as to enable the operator to work at anypoint along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and which comprise a9;,

lifting column, which is freely movable laterally of the base of thelifting device, so as to enable the operator to Work at either side ofthe vehicle. In addition, the present structures preferably comprisemeans for adjustably supporting the lifting for effecting an initialquick adjustment of the 9".

vertical height of the lifting column.

Referring first to the general view, Fig. l, the improved lifting deviceI0 of the present invention is illustrated as supported between therunways I2 and I4 of a lift type vehicle supporting structure. It willbe understood that the runways I2 and I4 are suitably interconnected toform a unitary structure, and are arranged, in the illustrated instance,for operating by a lifting column It. The lifting device It comprisesgenerally a supporting base I8, the opposite ends 20 whereof arearranged to freely seat over the side flanges of the runways I2 and I4;and the lifting column 22 of the screw type, the upper end whereof isprovided with a suitable cap 24, which may be engaged under a desiredpart of the associated vehicle 26. In Fig. 1, the cap 24 is engagedunder the bumper of the vehicle 26, and is shown in the elevatedposition, in which the device I ll functions to relieve the load upon,and relax, the vehicle springs 26a.

Referring to Figs. 2, 3, and 4, the base I8 of the lifting device III isformed by a pair of channel members 39, arranged in spaced back-to-backrelation. The channel members 38 are retained 5 in assembled relation toeach other by studs 32, the reduced ends whereof extend through openingsin the webs of the channel members and are threaded to receive holdingnuts 34. The studs 32 also serve to retain the end members 28 in place,each end member 20 being illustrated as composed of a pair of spacedhook-like members, generally channel-shaped in section, the innerportions 36 whereof are adapted to nest within the corresponding channelshaped members 30. The portions 36 are provided with elongated slots 38to receive the pins 32, so that the end members 28 may be adjustedinwardly or outwardly, whereby to increase or decrease the length of thelifting device II]. It will be understood that the oonformation of theportions 40 of the end members 20 is determined by the form of therunways I2 and I4 with which the lifting device is to be associated.

The lifting column 22, illustrated as being of the screw type, passesthrough a sleeve 42, which is internally threaded so as to accommodatethe threads on the screw 22, and which is supported between thechannel-shaped members 30 of the base, by a pair of generallychannel-shaped supporting members 44 and 45. The channel-shaped members44 are freely fitted over the base channel members 30, so as to befreely slidable therealong, and are provided with axially alignedopenings 46 in the webs thereof, which rotatably receive a pair ofdiametrically opposite, radially extending trunnions 48 formed on thesleeve 42. It will be understood that the trunnions 48 may be slightlyshouldered adjacent the body of the sleeve 42, which shoulders abut theinner faces of the webs of the channel members 44, so as to hold thesechannel members in predetermined spaced relation. With the foregoingarrangement, the sleeve 42 is rotatable relative to the supporting baseabout the axes of the trunnions 48, so that the screw 22 may be adjustedbetween the vertical or lifting position shown in Figs. 1 through 4 anda substantially horizontal or retracted position shown in Fig. 5. Inorder to releasably lock the screw 22 in either the lifting or theretracted position, the structure is provided with the yoke 56, thespacing between the legs 52 whereof is dimensioned to freely butrelatively snugly receive the upper end of the sleeve 42. The yoke 50 ispivotally connected to one of the supporting channels 44 by means of apin 54, which is journaled in bosses 56 formed as extensions of theflange 44a of the member 44. In the normal position of the yoke 50,shown in Fig. 2, the free ends of the legs 52 overlie the companionsupporting channel 45 and also overlie the flange of the adjacent basemember 3|]. It will be understood, accordingly, that the yoke 50, whenin the full line position of Figs. 2 and 3, serves to positively lockthe sleeve 42 and, consequently. the lifting screw 22 in the liftingposition. If, however, the yoke 58 is swung from the full line positionof Fig. 2 to the dotted line position thereof, the sleeve 42 and screw22 may be swung about the axes of the trunnions 46 to a generallyhorizontal position shown in Fig. 5, in which position the screw 22 andthe sleeve 42 lie within the space between the side channels 30.Preferably, the swivel cap 24 is dimensioned so that it also may beintroduced into the space between the base channels 30.

In order to releasably retain the screw 22 in the horizontal position,the sleeve 42 is provided with radially projecting fingers 58, whichproject radially from the opposite sides thereof, and either of which isadapted to occupy the space between the legs 52 of the yoke 50 when thescrew is in the retracted position. With this relation, it will beunderstood that upon swinging the screw 22 to the retracted position, ineither direction, the yoke 50 may be released to the full line positionin Fig. 2, in which position the legs 52 thereof embrace one or theother of the fingers 58, and positively hold the lifting screw in theretracted position.

Reviewing the operation of the device, it will be understood that thelifting device designated as 'a whole at I8 may initially be adjusted asto length so as to accommodate it to different spacings between theassociated runways, such as I2 and I4, by suitably adjusting the endmembers 20 relative to the base members 30. When so adjusted, thelifting device is freely suspended over the runways I2 and I4, and may,therefore, when unloaded, be freely slid longitudinally of the runways.The supporting structure between the lifting column 22 and the basestructure I8, illustrated as comprising the sleeve 42, the brackets 44,and the yoke 50, is freely slidable longitudinally of the base members30, so that the lifting column 22 may be positioned at any point alongthe length of the base I8. The, lifting column itself is readilyadjustable between the lifting and retracting positions, by retractingthe yoke 50, which yoke, however, serves to positively hold the columnin either of its adjusted positions. The raising and lowering movementsof the screw 22 may, of course, be controlled by the usual handle 60,which is adapted to be freely passed through an opening formed in oneend of the screw, and which, when not in use, may be received in clipssuch as 62 secured to the web of one of the base members 30.

The embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 6, 7, and 8 embodies thesame operating characteristics as are provided by the device of Figs. 1through 5, but in addition incorporated what may be called a quickadjusting feature, by which the lifting screw may be initially andrapidly adjusted as to height. In Figs. 6, 7, and 8, the lifting screwI8 is threaded through a sleeve I2, having a releasable drivingconnection with a supplemental sleeve 14, through which the screw I0freely passes. The supplemental sleeve I4 corresponds generally to thepreviously described sleeve 42, and is provided with trunnions I6 whichare rotatably received in bearing openings 18 formed in the supportingside members 88. As in the previous instance, the supporting side framemembers 88 are fitted over the main base channel members 30 associatedwith the supporting base of the lifting device. The sleeve I2 isprovided with a pair of diametrically opposite, axially-extendingtongues 82, which are freely but relatively snugly received in notches84 formed at the upper end of the sleeve 14. With this relation, it willbe understood that with the parts in the positions shown in Figs. 6 and'7, the sleeve I2 is non-rota-' tive relative to the sleeve 14.Consequently, a rotation of the screw I0 under the influence, forexample, of the handle 86, causes a corresponding raising or loweringmovement of the screw. If, however, the screw 22 and the sleeve I2 arebodily lifted vertically sufficiently far to retract the tongues 82 fromthe notches 84, it will be understood that the sleeve I2 may be freelyrotated on the screw relative to the sleeve 14. The sleeve I2 isprovided with usual handles 88, to facilitate its rotation, and it willbe understood that the sleeve I2 may thus be rapidly adjusted along thelength of the screw 10. When a desired position of initial adjustmentbetween the sleeve I2 and the screw III is arrived at, the screw may belowered relative to the sleeve 14 sufficiently far to re-introduce thetongues 82 into the notches 84, thus establishing the originalnon-rotative connection between these sleeves, and enabling the furtherlifting and lowering movements of the screw to be accomplished byrotation thereof under the influence of the handle 86.

As in the previous instance, the assembly comprising the screw 10, thesleeves l2 and 14, and the side members 89, is releasably held in eitherthe lifting or the retracted position by a yoke 90, the spaced legs 92whereof embrace the upper end of the sleeve 14. The sleeve 14, in turn,is provided with radially extending fingers 94, one or the other ofwhich is received between the legs 92 of the yoke 90 when the column I!)is swung to the retracted position.

Although specific embodiments of the invention have been described indetail and with reference to specific uses of the invention, it will beappreciated that these specific embodiments and uses are hereindisclosed in an illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. In a lifting device, a base structure having spaced side members, alifting column, a first member positioned between said side members andslidable therealong, a second member having a driving connection withsaid lifting column so as to effect the raising and lowering of thelatter, and means providing an adjustable connection between said firstand second members so that said lifting column may be adjusted betweenretracted and lifting positions without altering the position of saidfirst member relative to the base. said connection being positioned inthe space between said side members so that when said column is swung toits retracted position it lies substan tially wholly in the said space.

2. In a lifting device, a base structure having spaced side members, alifting column extending between said side frame members, a first memberslidable along said side frame members, a second member having a drivingconnection with said lifting column, and means forming a rotativesupporting connection between said first and second members, saidconnection being positioned between said frame members so that saidlifting column may be swung to a retracted position between said framemembers.

3. In a lifting device, a base structure having spaced side members, alifting column extending between said side frame members, a first memberslidable along said side frame members, a second member having a drivingconnection with said lifting column, means forming a rotative supportingconnection between said first and second members, said connection beingpositioned between said frame members so that said lifting column may beswung to a retracted position between said frame members, and a lockingdevice arranged to releasably holdsaid first and second members inpredetermined relative rotative positions.

4. In a lifting device, a base structure having spaced side members, alifting column extending between said side frame members, a first memberslidable along said side frame members, a second member having a drivingconnection with said lifting column, means forming a rotative supportingconnection between said first and second members, said connection beingpositioned between said frame members so that said lifting column may beswung to a retracted position between said frame members, and a yokelikemember secured to one of said members and arranged so that the legsthereof embrace the other of said members so as to releasably hold saidmembers in predetermined relative rotative positions.

5. In a lifting device, the combination of a base member having spacedside walls, a lifting screw, a first supporting member slidable alongsaid base member, a sleeve adapted to threadably receive said screw,means connecting said sleeve to said supporting member so that saidsleeve is nonrotative about its own axis, but enabling said sleeve to berotated so as to swing said lifting screw between lifting and retractedpositions, said connecting means being positioned between. said walls sothat when said screw is in its retracted position it lies in the spacebetween said walls.

6. In a lifting device, the combination of a base structure havingspaced side walls, a lifting column, means connecting the lifting columnto the base including first and second relatively adjustable members,one of said members being slidably mounted upon the base, the other ofsaid members being connected to the lifting column, and means forming arotative connection between said first and second members so that thelifting column can be swung between a lifting position and a retractedposition, said connecting means being positioned in the space betweensaid walls so that when said column is swung to its retracted positionit lies substantially wholly within said space.

7. In a lifting device, the combination of a base structure havingspaced side walls, a lifting column, means connecting the lifting columnto the base including first and second relatively adjustable members,one of said members being slidably mounted upon the base, the other ofsaid members being connected to the lifting column, means forming arotative connection between said first and second members so that thelifting column can be swung between a lifting position and a retractedposition, said connecting means being positioned in the space betweensaid walls so that when said column is swung toits retracted position itlies substantially wholly within said space, and means forming aconnection between the first and second members whereby the liftingcolumn can be releasably locked in either of said positions.

8. In a lifting device, the combination of a base structure havingspaced side walls, a lifting column, means connecting the lifting columnto the base including first and second relatively adjustable members,one of said members being slidably mounted upon the base, the other ofsaid members being connected to the lifting column, means forming arotative connection between said first and second members so that thelifting column can be swung between a lifting position and a retractedposition, said connecting means being positioned in the space betweensaid walls so that when said column is swung to its retracted positionit lies substantially wholly within said space, and a yoke carried bysaid one of said members and adapted to embrace the other of saidmembers so as to releasably lock said lifting column in at least one ofsaid positions.

9. In a lifting device, the combination of a base member having spacedside walls, a lifting screw, a support slidably mounted upon said basemember for adjustment transversely thereof, and means forming aconnection between said screw and said base member comprising a firstelement threadably associated with said screw, a second element having arotative connection with said support whereby said screw can be swungbetween a lifting position and a retracted position, said connectingmeans being positioned in the space between said walls so that when saidcolumn is swung to its retracted position it lies substantially whollywithin said space, and means forming a separable clutch connectionbetween said first and second elements.

10. In a lifting device, the combination of a base member having spacedside walls, a lifting screw, a support slidably mounted upon said basemember for adjustment longitudinally thereof, means forming a connectionbetween said screw and said base member comprising a first elementthreadably associated with said screw, a second element having arotative connection with said support whereby said screw can be swungbetween a lifting position and a retracted position, said connectingmeans being positioned in the space between said walls so that when saidcolumn is swung to its retracted position it lies substantially whollywithin said space, means forming a separable clutch connection betweensaid first and second elements, and a locking member connected betweensaid means and said support for releasably locking said screw in atleast one of said 10 positions.

JOSEPH J. MIZER.

